It is difficult to remember all that needs to be done, so using a checklist can be an important part of shutting down your cabin before an extended absence. Here’s an example checklist, used for my Colorado family guest cabin.

• Hot and cold water pipes drained and blown out

• Refrigerator emptied and defrosted

• All propane appliances shut off individually (furnace, refrigerator, range, and on-demand hot water heater), and main propane shutoff on

• DC load breakers off

• AC load breakers off

• Inverter off (unless you want to use the inverter’s search mode function and/or have no AC loads that need to be powered when you are away)